The study focuses on three industrial sectors important to the EU (cotton, sugar from sugar cane, and mobile phones), in relation to five key CSR supply chain management issues (child labour, freedom of association and collective bargaining, an adequate standard of living, unfair price levels, and biodiversity).

The emerging results are correlated with the "Protect, Respect, Remedy" framework proposed by Professor John Ruggie, the UN Secretary-General's special representative on business and human rights.

The study includes some valuable research and a number of insightful case studies and recommendations.